Folk music means a form that originates in traditional popular culture or that is
written in such a style. Folk music is typically of unknown authorship and is
transmitted orally from generation to generation. Every country has its own
form of folk music and in India every state has its own style of folk music.
Goa has its own style which has evolved through the passage of time. Like
everything in life however, sometimes one needs a concerted effort to ensure it
does not die out. Various people have different styles of promoting. Suraj
Pinge the VP of a Real Estate company in Goa has been involved in folk music
from a very young age.
Suraj will be presenting the evolution of folk music with a
20-piece ensemble at TEDx this Sunday but his journey has been very
interesting. A self-taught musician, Suraj first took up a musical instrument
when he was in the fourth standard. It was the tabla and he honed his skills at
the Bal Bhavan in Panjim. It was the only instrument where he received formal
education for a couple of years. Every year during the summer holidays, it is
customary to get away from the hurly burly of city life and return to one’s
roots. Suraj would go over to his mother’s village, Talaulim in Ponda. The
village had a very rich tradition in the ghumot. He picked up the basics and
then played regularly till he felt confident to play the instrument. Suraj said
“It is a simple instrument, an earthen pot but it can create complex sounds.
Goan folk music is full of energy. Folk instruments are powerful and whether
you hear them in the temple or the church or at a wedding or other social
occasion, you will be moved. The theme at the TEDx this year is Rush: Emotion
behind powerful action and Goan folk music fits that theme so perfectly”.
He uses all the percussive instruments in his presentations.
Suraj says children are drawn to percussive instruments and if they see one, it
would not be surprising if they start creating sounds and many of them retain
their love for the sound and some go on to be professional players.
Suraj has retained the love well into adulthood and as his
movement up the corporate ladder has not dimmed his enthusiasm. Suraj continues
training people after work. He says” I am enthusiastic about Goan folk music
and after work I train people. I have taken groups outside Goa to places like
Pune, Mumbai and Shirdi. They have been very well received. My compositions have
also been copied and when I spoke to the parties who did so, they said they had
come across our performances on Youtube”.
Suraj
lives a disciplined life to ensure he does well professionally and has the time
to indulge his passion. He expressed his happiness at the interest shown by the
younger generation and in his training group he has kids as young as eight and
seniors who have decided it is time, they indulged their passion. He ended by
saying he was focussed in presenting a unique sound and ensuring it continued
to grow.
